Bhutan

Hyunsook Chung, a representative of the Asian Broadcasting Union, received the UNICEF Special Prize on behalf of director Kesang Chuki Dorjee.

By Chris Schuepp

MUNICH, Germany, 15 May 2006 – ‘The Domaseller & The Badamwalla’, a TV documentary about children in Bhutan, has emerged as the winner of the UNICEF Special Prize at the 2006 Prix Jeunesse International Festival in Munich.

The 17-minute film, produced by the Bhutan Broadcasting Service and directed by Kesang Chuki Dorjee, describes the harsh reality of daily life for two boys who have to sell doma and peanuts on the streets to support their families. The friends speak openly about their lives and dreams, and the fact that they are missing out on an adequate education.

The UNICEF Special Prize at the Prix Jeunesse highlights outstanding contributions by broadcasters to raise awareness of children's concerns. It is awarded to a programme that demonstrates most convincingly how children anywhere in the world can be helped to lead a healthy, fulfilled and happy life.

Awards in other Prix Jeunesse 2006 categories went to broadcasters from Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Israel and Egypt.

The Prix Jeunesse International is widely considered the most prestigious TV award in children's broadcasting worldwide. UNICEF and Prix Jeunesse have given the UNICEF Special Prize for over 20 years.